Page 30 of Sheltering Lawson
He looked at me. “I don’t have time to go into detail right now, but bring her to dinner, Ethan, and I’ll elaborate.” Rory glanced toward Outlaws, nodded to them both, then he was jogging toward the bar. “See ya soon.”
We walked toward Ethan’s truck, and he opened the passenger door for me. I got in while he went around the hood and settled in the driver’s seat. He started the vehicle and drove out of the lot. “I have the address.”
“I know where it is. I’ve done some work for River Pearl.”
“That’s what it’s like around here. Everyone pitches in for their neighbor?”
“Absolutely. Not that way where you come from?”
“No, not exactly.”
“I get that.” He was quiet for a moment. “I could have gone anywhere after my discharge. It would have been easier than coming back here and dealing with my daddy’s expectations, his hope, his pride. But, truth of the matter is there’s no place like Suttontowne, even with its nosy neighbors, gossip and sticking their noses in everyone’s business. I just don’t want to be anywhere else. Small towns for all their faults are all about community and pitching in when needed. I like being part of that. Reminds me of the Marines.”
“It must be wonderful to find where you belong, to fit in and to enjoy just being…home.”
My voice must have been wistful because he reached over and covered my hand. “Home is where you make it, sugar. Stone-cold fact. I was home overseas when I was at base, even with the unrest and the danger. I didn’t let that deter me from making the kind of community I wanted to be a part of. It just means being as open and honest with everyone you meet and inviting them to be the same with you.”
His big hand engulfed mine, and his words made the guilt twist and turn inside me. There were so many secrets I was keeping, and I hadn’t been open or honest with him from day one. But it was out of concern for these decent folks that kept me holding back. Or was it? Was I hiding even my true motivations from myself? Was I so worried about falling in love with Suttontowne and its citizens that I would want to stay?
My heart double beat.
And, if I wanted to stay, would that open a whole boatload of complications, least of all facing up to my fears, resolving my conflict and moving on with my life? Could I stand up to them and survive? Could I finally, really be free to make my own choices?
I thought about that all the way into Lafayette as Ethan pointed out parts of the bayou and talked about the city with affection. As the lush and wild bayou thinned out for more houses and concrete, giving way to high-rises, skyscrapers, interchanges, and the bustle as the city rose in the distance, shining brightly in a background of green. He said they had a great nightlife here and beignets almost as good as New Orleans.
“I’ve never had one.”
“Oh man. We’ll have to fix that,” he said.
He pointed to his left. “That’s Lafayette General. Aubree plans on doing her residency there when she graduates from med school four years from now.”
“Booker’s wife, right?”
“Right. She’s going to be taking over Doc Rust’s practice.”
“I remember Brax saying something about that. He’s planning her graduation bash. Should be a lot of fun.”
“And, a lot of work for us.” He smiled. “But she’s worth it.”
“Hard work never hurt anyone. Builds character,” I said. I knew from experience. I’d never had to do anything until I had to fend for myself. It was an eye-opener, but I couldn’t begrudge it at all. I’d learned a lot about myself and one of the main things I’d learned was that I was capable, persistent, and determined. Whatever else came out of leaving everything I had known, I was proud of what I had been able to accomplish.
Soon we were pulling up to the curb and parking outside a metal and wood structure withRiver Artlettered in metal on a wooden sign.
Ethan came around and opened my door. We headed for the door knocking since it was locked. We waited a bit, but no one came. “Her car is here, so she must be, too.” He knocked again, this time a little harder.
Finally, we saw a woman, tall, lithe with long honey brown hair walk briskly toward us. She had a harried look on her face, and I got the immediate feeling this was going to be a bumpy morning.
She didn’t smile, but opened the door and said, “Am I glad to see you, Ethan.”
“Is something wrong?”
“So many things. I have a major show tonight and my assistant and her husband, who is also my employee are out sick with the stomach flu. They can’t even get out of bed, so my last remaining assistant is helping them. I am without staff.”
“Well, we’re here to help.”
River Pearl looked at me and finally smiled. “I am so sorry,” she said, still flustered. “What a way to meet someone who I want to employ. Please forgive my rudeness.”
“No worries,” I said. “Lawson Edwards.”
